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Women of Influence: Sherie Dodsworth '78

Thu, 2010-09-30 17:00

Sherie Swiess Dodsworth graduated from Saint Mary’s with a bachelors in accounting and has since become a self-made businesswoman with a vibrant career and family life. Dodsworth was the first female president of the SMC Alumni Association and the first woman to be elected Alumni of the Year, in 1999.

After Saint Mary’s, Dodsworth’s interest in business bloomed into a successful entrepreneurship. She has been CEO and CFO of a number of companies and has started two of her own, InsWeb and Securita. During her spare time, her interests include golf, traveling and spending time with her grandson. Dodsworth offers this advice to generations that follow: “ Believe in yourself and don’ t be afraid to take charge, try new things and explore new opportunities.” Her role model is her mother, who went parasailing for her 81st birthday. “I want to be as unstoppable as my mom is when I am her age.”

40 Years/One Night, a "Gaela" celebration recognizing the 40 Influential Women of Saint Mary's, will be held on Sat., Nov. 6 in the Soda Center. It begins with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, a raffle and a silent auction. The keynote speaker will be Kristine Carlson, co-author of the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series. Go to stmarys-ca.edu/womeninphil for tickets and more information.